The Report of the Carbon Flux Process Experts Meeting suggested that to include wetlands as biotic sinks, a “Kyoto Wetland" concept be adopted to account for wetland restoration (R), wetland creation (C), and wetland degradation (D) land-use change activities. This RCD is an important concept that has the value-added utility of being easily recognized as an analogue of the forestry RAD activities.
Another activity that is of critical importance to both wetland conservation and the protection and enhancement of sinks is that of sustaining, or protecting wetland basins and margins. Many intact wetland basins in the Canadian agricultural landscape, particularly in the Great Plains region, dry out during periods of drought. When dry, many of the millions of such basins are cultivated and cropped, thereby releasing large amounts of CO2 and N2O and reducing the source of CH4.
A further benefit of the “ do not disturb wetlands" or “sustaining wetlands" option is that riparian vegetation (emergents, grasses, shrubs and trees) can be established and/or maintained on the wetland margins. Apart from their high biomass and soil carbon content, riparian vegetation traps blowing snow, thereby increasing water retention in the basins and stimulating sink enhancement. In consideration of this activity, the “Kyoto Wetland" may be expanded to include sustaining (S) and become RCDS.
